RDC-7 requests public, private utilities to undertake road repairs and installation works at night

By Minerva BC. Newman

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Dec. 16 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC-7) in Central Visayas asked concerned government agencies, public and private utilities to undertake road repairs and installation works in the metro Cebu's major thoroughfares at night so as not to cause traffic jams and accidents. 

RDC-7 chair Cebu City mayor Michael Rama told the full council in a meeting on December 14 at the Cebu City Sports Club that traffic congestion in major streets in Metro Cebu are noticeably worsening and one of the reasons is the repair and installation works carried out by government agencies and public utilities on major roads during daytime. 

In a resolution from the RDC-Infrastructure committee, chairman Manny Rabacal said that traffic congestion has tremendous negative effect to commuters, business and development. 

Among them cited are; waste of time, opportunities of motorists and passengers; delays in arrival at employment, meetings, education resulting in losses of business, disciplinary actions to personnel and other personal losses. 

Rabacal also cited studies that suggest that traffic congestion affect people's inability to forecast travel time accurately; fuel waste, increase air pollution and CO2 emissions. 

"While work undertaken by concerned government agencies and public utilities are important and necessary, there is a way of doing them at night time to avoid traffic and vehicular accidents," RDC-7 chair and Cebu City mayor Rama noted. 

The resolution was approved despite the noted reaction from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7). (PIA-7)